Thursday 15 March 2012

FUNDING SHAISTA

The birds they are a twittering, round the birch,
inside of Spring, 
This morning, there were daffodils and daisies,
And hidden things -

And bursting behind the door,
purple lilac softly knocking,
ready dressed to come a calling. 

Through my many long years of illness I have often heard this phrase used to describe me: 'she's out of the woods now' - I always find it a curious phrase, because as Frost said, the woods are 'lovely, dark and deep' and sometimes it is enchanting when you're ill to stay cocooned in the warmth of your frailty. But, like Frost, I too have had promises to keep. Promises to live and love, and be all things spring and light.
For two years now, I have been in the woods about funding for my monoclonal treatments, which have been erratic, and for which I learned how to dance with radio, newspapers and medical journals - but now, ta-dah!! I have received a note from my consultant's secretary confirming 'that Rituximab will be funded for the next two years'. Shall I frame it?

To celebrate, I wander around the grounds of Emmanuel College, illegally feeding the ducks Japanese rice crackers, and befriending one in particular with whom I discuss further promises to keep. The duck warns that he will hold me to my promises - but I don't mind. I shall return and make him proud. For the next two years, at least. At least.
first image prompt from Magpie Tales

14 comments:

Jillayne said...

Congratulations Shaista! Hopefully now you can concentrate on all the wonderful gifts you have without any funding worries.

i am so very pleased for you.

Silent Otto said...

Cool, " bursting behind the door" , enjoying your paintings , too. Spring in england , autumn in australia, a nice contrast for me

Lisa said...

I love your photos. It is nice to be able to wander and wonder. Congratulations, it must be a relief.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Shaista, you are such a gallant soul. It is not right, somehow, that one should have to dance and struggle for treatment which should be a matter of course. I am so pleased and relieved that it has been approved. GREAT news! Thanks for keeping us posted, I have been wondering how you are.

Love the photos, by the way. Cute duck, trying to gauge how deep the dive needs to be:)

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

Simply said....thank you. Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Ruth said...

Beautiful news with all the hope of spring!! So so happy for you.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Excellent news!

Anna :o]

Zarir DeVitre said...

Yay, frame it! And keep on feeding those ducks and if you get the chance take a walk on all those 'off limits' lawns. Z

Kathe W. said...

lovely duet of photos. I have so much respect for you in your approach to your illness. Not all would be so creative and positive. Good news and congratulations.

Helen said...

By all means frame it! Great news and a lovely poem to go with it.

Oya's Daughter said...

By all means, frame that bad boy and keep it as testament to doing what needed to be done to get what you need.

Ashe!

Tess Kincaid said...

That's wonderful news! Keep illegally feeding those ducks my friend...

RNSANE said...

Dearest Shaista, enjoy the woods, the spring, rice crackers and ducks, two years free from funding woes, and the pursuit of poetry, happiness, life and love. I have so enjoyed my brief interludes with you...I can't believe I'm almost 70 but I have relished my life and will continue to do so, in spite of this darn arthritis, as long as the ticker holds out. Travel is what has always sustained me through a bit of trauma and 45 years of nursing...and, as long as I can keep doing that, I will enjoy this life. Blessings to you.

Jeanne-ming Brantingham said...

my adorable dancing poet! Congratulations.

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